Rotary electric welding-machine.



L. P. FRENCH, DECD. v J. HMFRENCH, ADMINISTRATOR. .ROTARYELECTRIC'WELDING'MAC-HINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 1913- Patented Mar. 14-, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

- Invenok' cd-orney.

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L. P. FRENCH, D'ECD. I. H. FRENCH. ADMINISTRATOR. ROTARY ELECTRICWELDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 1913. 1,1755 16. Patented Mar. 14,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

% @JJW b amaf UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESTER P. FRENCH, OF STOUGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS; JAMES H. FRENCH, 0FSTOUGH- TON, MASSACHUSETTS, ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID LESTER P. FRENCH,DECEASED, ASSIGNQR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 THERESA J. FRENCH, OFSTOUGHTON, MAS- SACHUSETTS.

ROTARY ELECTRIC WELDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed February 27, 1913. Serial No. 750,971.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LESTER P. FRENCH, acitizen of the United States, residing at Stoughton, in the county ofNorfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Rotary Electric Welding-Machines, of' which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawings.

The features of the invention are designed more particularly foremployment in cross- Welding wires or strips, as for instance in themanufacture of fencing or the like composed of longitudinal wires orstrips and transverse wires or strips extending across the longitudinalones and welded thereto at the points of intersection or crossing.

A leading feature of the invention is the substitution of rotary weldingcontact means at one or both sides of the wires in lieu of thereciprocating contact means heretofore employed for the like class ofwork.

I have shown the features of the invention conveniently embodied in amachine employing rotary welding contact means at both sides of thewires.

Figure 1 is a view of the said machine in vertical longitudinal section,showing the leading essentials thereof. Fig. 2 is a view of the rollingcontacts, their actuating mechanism, and the make-and-break devicestherefor, omitting however the brushes which are shown in Fig. 1 inconnection with the said rolling contacts, and omitting also theinclined guides for delivering the (Toss-wires or strips adjacent thesaid rolling contacts, but showing other parts of the means for feedingthe cross-wires or strips to the longitudinal wires or strips. Fig. 3 isa detail view on an enlarged scale showing more particularly a pair ofwelding-contacts and devices for feeding transverse wires or strips.

Having reference to the drawings-At a is indicated the series oflongitudinal wires or strips, hereinafter termed longitudinal wires, andat b, b, are shown transverse wires or strips, hereinafter termedcrosswires. The supply of longitudinal wires is here shown provided inthe form of coils a wound upon reels 0. which are conveniently supportedat the rear of the machine. Other means of supply and other arrangementsthereof may be employed in practice.

ment in passing between the saidcontacts and in being welded to thecross-wires.

The welding contacts are shown at 3, 3 They are in the form of rings ofconductive metal, suitable for employment for welding purposes. They aremounted upon shafts or arbors l, 45 one of the said shafts or arbors andits series of contact rings being at one side of the'path of thelongitudinal wires, and the other shaft or arbor and its series ofcontact rings being at the opposite side of the said path. Each shaft orarbor carries as many of the contact rings as there are longitudinalwires in the fabric to be produced. A contact ring upon one shaft orarbor is arranged to co-act with one upon the other shaft or arbor,forming thereby a pair of contact rings between which one of thelongitudinal wires is fed continuously. Each of the contact rings iscombined with its supporting shaft or arbor in a manner providing foradjustment of the respective contact rings upon the shafts or arbors inthe direction of the length of the latter, thereby enabling thedifferent pairs of contact rings to be set at distances apart,transversely of the machine, corresponding with the desired spacing ofthe longitudinal wires in the fabric to be produced. The mounting foreach contact ring includes as a part thereof a hub 5 or 5 The hubs maybe made of cast-iron, and each hub is fixedly connected to its shaft orarbor by means of a key 6 occupying a keyway in the hub and a key-way 6extending longitudinally within the shaft or arbor, and a clamping-screw7 carried by the hub and engaging with the key. Other known means ofconnecting the hubs with the shafts or arbors and providing for their adjustment thereon may be employed in practice. Each contact ring isinsulated from its hub by means of a ring 8 of suitable insulating andpreferably heat non-conducting material. Preferably, in practice, Iemploy what is termed fiber as the material of which the said rings 8are composed.

In the present instance the shafts or arbors 4, 4, are mounted one abovethe other in bearings 9, 9,-Fig. 2, that are suitably supported in theside-frames 10, 10.. The two shafts or arbors are geared together so asto rotate in unison, by means of a pair of spur-gears 11, 11 upon theupper shaft or arbor 4 meshing with a pair of spurgears12, 12 fixed uponthe lower shaft or arbor 4 Thereby the upper shaft or arbor and itscontact rings are driven from the lower shaft or arbor. The latter, inturn, is driven by means of the worm-gear 13 thereon, engaged by adriving worm 14: on a horizontal shaft 15 having fixed thereon aspur-gear 16 in engagement with a spurpinion 17 on the shaft of anelectric motor 18. The teeth of the gear-wheels 11, 11, alternate orbreak joint with one another, as shown in Fig. 2, and the same relativearrangement of teeth exists in the case of the pair of gears 12, 12 Thisobviates back-lash, and enables the effects of wear to be taken upthrough an angular adjustment of one gear of each pair with respect tothe other gear of such pair.

The Contact rings of one or both shafts or arbors are yieldinglv mduntedso as to have capacity for radial or diametrical movement relative tothe shaft or arbor. The purpose of this is to compensate for variationsin the diameters of the wires as thev pass between the two series ofcontacts. Also, to permit the contacts to adjust themselves to thediameters of the cross-wires as they enter between the two series ofcontacts in the cold state. Also, to enable the contacts to exert ateach intersection the pressure necessary to effect the compression andbring about the union while the wires are softened by the heating.Various forms of elastic or yielding mountings may be employed inpractice. I have shown the yielding feature secured in the case of theupper series of contact rings and by mounting them yicldingly upon theirhubs 5. In the illustrated yielding construction, curved strips 19, 19,of steel are fastened by their inner ends to the hub 5 of each contactring of the said upper series, and have attached to their outer ends aring 20 upon which the fiber ring 8 and contact ring 3 are mounted. Thestrips 19, 19, extend tangentially or substantially so in a rearwarddirection.

Preferably, I employ a transformer 21 for each pair of cooperatingcontacts. Each transformer embodies, as usual, a primary winding and asecondary winding, the said windings being so constructed as to providea current-output from the secondary windand the other secondary terminalof such transformer is electrically connected by means of a similarstrip or strips 24 with a similar shoe or brush 25 in electricalengagement with the lower contact ring 3 of such pair. The secondarycircuit .of the transformer is normally broken or open at the gapbetween the contact rings of the pair, such rings being slightlyseparated by an intervening space from each other.

The primary circuit is controlled by means of a suitable circuit closerand breaker, the latter employing in the present instance a cam 26 whichrotates in proper coordination with the feed of the longitudinal wiresand the spacing apart of the cross-wires. In the drawings, the said camis operatively connected with the shaft or arbor 4 by mounting it upon acam-shaft 27 driven by miter gearing 28 from an upright shaft 29, thelatter in turn driven by means of bevel gearing 30 from a horizontalshaft 31, Fig. 1, which is driven by bevel gearing 32, Fig. 2, from thesaid shaft or arbor 4 The said cam 26 in its rotation engages with thepiece 33, Fig. 1, projecting into the path of the nose of the cam from afiber strip 34 attached to an arm of a circuit-closing lever 35pivotally mounted at 36, carrying a carbon tip 37, and havingelectrically connected with it one end of the wire 0 leading from oneprimary terminal of the transformer. A-contracting spiral spring 38connecting with the said lever 35 holds it normally in its openposition, namely with the said carbon tip 37 separated from a co-actingcarbon tip 39 carried by a fixed arm 40 having electrically connectedtherewith the wire cl from the distributing-board 41. The engagement ofthe nose of the cam with the piece 33 carried by the circuit-closinglever 35 causes the said lever to rcck so as to close the carbon pointsor terminals 37, 39, together, and thereby close or complete the primarycircuit of the transformer. The rotation of the cam is timed to closethe said circuit as each cross-wire enters into the nip of the twoseries of contact rings 3, 3

The cross-wires may be fed into position in any approved manner but Iprefer the means shown in the drawings. As a part of the said means Iemploy a conveyerapron or belt 42, extending crosswise of the machineand projecting some distance laterally outward at one side thereof. Theprojecting portion of the belt and the supporting roll or rolls for suchportion are omitted from the drawings. At 43 is a roll or sheave mountedwithin the machine and around which the oonveyerapron or belt makes itsreturn. The cross-wires, previously cut to the required length, are laidupon the upper run of the outwardly projecting portion of thisconveyer-apron or belt by the workman, and by the travel of the said runare carried longitudinally into the machine, being arrested at theproper point in the width of the machine by a stop 44. Adjacent theconveyer-apron or belt 42, and extending downward from the upper run ofthe said apron or belt to the path of the longitudinal wires (1, arelocated inclined guide-ways 45, Figs. 1 and 3. There are several ofthese inclined guide-ways, at proper distances apart widthwise of themachine to support and guide the cross-wires. They receive thecross-wires from the upper run of the conveyer-apron or belt 42, andguide them to the longitudinal wires. The cross-wires which have beencarried into the machine by the travel of the conveyerapron or belt maybe pushed by hand from the latter into the inclined guide-ways, or anyconvenient means for effecting the transfer automatically may beemployed in practice.

For the purpose of feeding the cross-wires one by one to thelongitudinal wires a suit able feeding or escapement device is employed.In this instance the feeding device consists of a shaft 46, Fig. 3,having mounted thereon at each guide-way 45 a wheel 47 having itsperiphery formed with transverse grooves. each of a size to contain onecross-wire. The shaft 46 and its rolls 47, 47, are rotated by means of aWormgear 48 upon the said shaft engaged by a worm 49 on the uprightshaft 29, sothat at the required moment one of the crosswires is fedpast the feed-rolls and allowed to pass down the inclined guide-ways,and thereby delivered to the longitudinal wires (4.

To hold the cross-wire which has thus been delivered to the longitudinalwires (4 in its proper position at right angles to the longitudinalwires, and insure the proper spacing apart of the cross-wires in thefabric, I employ stops, one of which is shown at 50, Figs. 1 and 3,pivotally mounted at 51 Fig. 3 upon a support 52 and held in workingposition by means of a contracting spiral spring 53. As a cross-wireleaves the inclined guide-ways 45 it encounters the stops 50 and is heldback thereby.

The cross-wires are successively fed forward past the stops 50 at therequired times, in unison with the advancing movement of thelongitudinal wires (4, through the engagement of outstanding portions ofradial projections 54 carried in this instance by the rings 20 of theupper shaft or arbor 4, as represented in Fig. 3. The outstandingportion of one of the said projections, by passing behind a cross-wireresting on the longitudinal wires a, engages with such cross-wire andmoves it forward in unison with the longitudinal wires, the stops 5Oyielding to permit the passage of the crosswire and then springing backinto their normal position. The cross-wire becomes entered in a notch ofthe projection 54 in front of the said outstanding portion, and isthereby held from becoming displaced in passing 'into the nip of the twosets of contact rings, and is held and fed positively in passing throughthe said nip and until in consequence of the welding it has becomefirmly united to the longitudinal wires at the points of intersection.

At 55 is indicated the rheostat controlling the amperage of the currenttraversing the primary winding of the transformer, and so adjusting theamperage of the secondary current as required, and 56, 56, are switchesin connection with the wires represented in connection with the saiddistributing board.

The fabricis fed along, and the longitudinal wires a are drawn forwardfrom the coils a on the reels (4". by means of a pair of feed rolls 57,58, Fig. 1. The said feed-rolls are located in suitable position infront of the rotary contacts, and one or both of said rolls islongitudinally grooved, as at 59, 59, in the case of the top roll, toreceive the crosswires of the fabric, thereby enabling the feed-rolls totake secure hold of the fabric for the purpose of pulling it and thelongitudinal wires through the machine. The lower feedroll, 57, isrepresented as driven by miter gearing (30. inclined shaft 61, and mitergearing (32, from the feed-shaft 4G for the crosswires. From thefeed-rolls 57, 58, the fabric passes to and partly around a guideroll 63at the front of the machine and is wound upon a take-up or receivingroll 64.

The essential features of the machine may be variously embodied withoutinvolving a departure from the spirit of the invention.

Some of the features of the invention are not restricted to employmentwith rotary or rolling welding-contacts.

I claim as my invention 1. An electric welding machine comprising meansfor feeding a series of wires or strips, welding-contact means at oneside of the said series, and rotary welding-contact means at the otherside of said series applying roller welding pressure at the weldingpoints to the said wires or strips and the cross-wires or strips passingtherewith between the respective welding contacts.

2. An electric welding machine comprising means for feeding a series ofwires or strips, rotary welding-contact means at both sides of saidseries applying rolling Welding-pressure at the welding points to thevaried distances between the wires or stripsof said series, and arrangedto apply welding pressure at the separate points of intersection of thewires or strips of said series and the cross-wires or strips.

4. An electric welding machine comprisingmeans for feeding a series ofwires or strips. a plurality of pairs of rotary welding contactsrespectively applying rolling welding-pressure at the separate points ofintersection of the wires or strips of said series and the cross-wiresor strips, and also adjustable to suit varied distances between thewires or strips of said series.

An electric welding machine comprising means for feeding a series ofwires or strips longitudinally, means for automatically deliveringcross-wires or strips in 'position upon the said series, andelectric-welding means for welding the wires together at the respectivepoints of intersection.

6. An electric welding machine comprising rolling welding-contacts,means for feeding a series of wires or strips longitudinally betweensaid welding-contacts, and means for automatically deliveringcross-wires or strips in position to pass between said Welding-contactsand be welded in place upon the longitudinal wires.

7. An electric welding machine comprising welding-contacts, means forfeeding a series of wires or strips longitudinally between the saidcontacts, inclined guides adjacent the paths of said wires or strips,and means for feeding cross-wires or strips successively from saidguides to the said series of wires.

8. An electric welding machine comprising welding-contacts, means forfeeding :1

series of wires or strips longitudinally between the said contacts, areceiver adapted to contain a plurality of cross-wires, means forfeeding crosswires successively from said receiver into position to beunited to the longitudinal wires or strips, and a carrier adapted totransport the cross-wires into position and deliver them to the saidreceiver.

9. An electric welding machine comprising welding-contacts, means forfeeding a series of wires or strips longitudinally between the saidcontacts, means for conveying cross-wires or strips into positionadjacent said series, inclined guides receiving the cross-wires orstrips from the said conveying means, and means for feeding thecrosswires or strips from the inclined guides to the said series ofwires or strips.

10. An electric welding machine comprising rolling contacts, means forguiding longitudinal wires or strips between said contacts, and meansfor automatically presenting cross-wires or strips in position to enterbetween said contacts and be welded to the longitudinal wires or strips.

11. An electric welding-machine comprising rolling contacts, means forguiding longitudinal wires or strips between said contacts, and meansrotating in unison with said contacts for causing cross-wires to entersuccessively between the contacts and become united by welding to thelongitudinal wires or strips.

12. An electric Welding machine comprising rolling contacts, means forguiding longitudinal wires or strips between said contacts, and meansengaging positively with a cross-wire or strip to cause same to enterbetween the contacts and hold it from displacement while being welded tothe longitudinal wires or strips.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. LESTER P. FRENCH.

Witnesses NATHAN 13. DAY, CHAS. F. RANDALL.

